Winter: SHU Dingle
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This two-week intensive program at the end of December/beginning of January takes place in the idyllic location of SHU Dingle which is the “best of both worlds” since it provides visitors with all of the amenities of a tourist haven, but in an authentic setting with traditional Irish culture.
Dingle is a place with welcoming locals and many hospitable places in which to meet them: tremendous learning resources, magnificent relics, ruins and holy places, outstanding access to other areas of the country-and to Europe, immersive activities and opportunities to try something new and a vast, living record of folklore, celebrations, history and authentic music and dance. If you wish to experience all that Ireland has to offer, the Dingle Peninsula Gaeltacht is where you want to be. In Irish, “An Gaeltacht” refers to the few areas in Ireland in which Irish is the community language of the people. In these areas, people work to preserve the vitality of the language and all aspects of Irish culture.
Space on the program and for individual courses is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Dates & Deadlines*
| Term | Year | Application Deadline | Decision Date | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | 2025/2026 | September 15, 2025 | TBD | December 29, 2025 (Depart US on December 28) | January 12, 2026 |
Program Description
Upon acceptance to the program, you will be required to complete online components and then attend a mandatory pre-departure orientation. During this orientation, further details about the course and program details will be discussed. The pre-departure orientation will be conducted in March/April for the summer term, July for the fall term and in November for the winter/spring term abroad.
Upon arrival at Dingle you will attend a mandatory orientation day. This is an important and informative set of sessions organized by SHU staff at Sacred Heart University's Dingle campus. The information at these sessions includes:
- A familiarization tour of Dingle
- Information from the SHU staff outlining life in Dingle, including cultural differences, safety information, and ways to get involved in community life
- An introduction to academic expectations
- A welcome meal — this is a great opportunity to meet other students on the program
Complementing the traditional culture are the modern amenities that make Dingle ideal: banking institutions, high-quality medical facilities, retail shops, accessibility of bus and train services, a regional airport for travel throughout Europe and proximity to larger towns and cities such as Tralee, Cork and Killarney. Your home base is in the heart and soul of the Peninsula, Dingle Town - a thriving Irish fishing port teeming with restaurants, shops and lively pubs. Both instrumental music and song have a long tradition in the area, and Dingle is renowned among music-lovers, in fact, a variety of music can be heard any night of the week.
The curriculum of the intensive program offers a wide range of courses in the arts and humanities, physical and social sciences, business and professional fields. Courses include local field trips and community-based projects that give you the opportunity to learn firsthand the lessons and theories of the classroom.
You will enroll in one course and receive 3 Sacred Heart University credits.
Tentative Courses for Winter 2025/2026
Courses subject to change depending upon enrollment
- AN 230 Culture, Community & Folklore (LAE HI, SGA)
- CM 103 Producing an Irish Short Film (LAE HI, SGA)
- CH 108 Druids & Alchemy (LAE SL)
- CMD 335/SLP 533 Cultural and Structural Linguistics
- ENG 299 Poets and Madmen: Writing and Health in Ireland (LAE HI)
- HS 303/MPH 590 Health Promotion
- MK 240 Sustainable Tourism Marketing
- SW 265/565 English Colonial Legacy: Human Rights in Ireland (cross-listed as CJ/PO/SO 299 Social Control in the Welfare State)
- TRS 271 Celtic Religious Traditions (FC-TRS; LAE HI, SGA)
Housing is included as part of your study abroad program fees.
While in Dingle, you will live in Glór na hAbhann (Riverside), new and fully furnished townhouse-style residences, just a ten minute walk from the SHU classroom building and markets, tourist attractions, restaurants, and other amenities. Each residence includes a four bedrooms (three doubles and one single) fully appointed kitchen, washer and dryer, two bathrooms, fireplace, television, and wireless internet service. The houses are located in a quiet and safe location, and there is always a SHU staff member on call in case there are any problems. For larger groups during the short-term sessions, students may also be housed at Dingle Marina Cottages.
For the winter/summer programs, most dinners are included in the program fee. For the semester program, a meal plan is included in the program price. It includes lunches and dinners five days a week. Meal cards are redeemable at restaurants, pubs and markets in Dingle. Additionally, you may prepare meals in your fully furnished kitchen. Groceries are available for purchase at local markets located within ten minutes walking distance from student housing.
This program includes an abundance of site visits and cultural activities so that you will have the opportunity to experience of Ireland to its fullest. Excursions and cultural activities during the winter term may include:
- Archaeological tours to sites on the Peninsula
- A night at a traditional Irish singing club
- Irish set dancing lessons
- Horseback riding on the beach
- Hold a baby lamb
SHU Dingle: Winter 2025/2026
| Budget Item | Amount | Payable To | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | $45 | Global Engagement | Payable upon application to the program |
| Confirmation Fee | $250 | Global Engagement | Due within two weeks of acceptance to the program |
| Total | $295 | ||
| SHU Short-Term UG Tuition | $1,950 | Student Accounts | Price listed at the 3-credit rate for 2025/2026. Per-credit rate is currently $650. |
| Registration Fee | $115 | Student Accounts | |
| Program Fee | $1,975 | Student Accounts | |
| Estimated Total | $4,040 | Total will be billed in accordance with Student Accounts billing cycle |
*Graduate 3-credit tuition rate is charged at the individual program rate. Verify your program's rate.
Additional Expenses
| Budget Item (Estimates) | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation - International Airfare | $900 | Group flight available |
| Meals - Additional | $400 | |
| Program Materials - Books and Supplies | $75 | |
| Personal Expenses | $500 |
All costs subject to change.
Fees Include: Program orientation, arrival airport transfer, and mandatory basic international health insurance.
Fees Do Not Include: Travel to/ from host country, major medical insurance, visa/resident permit fees, program materials, or any personal expenses.
Additional Billing Information
All expenses are subject to change based upon currency fluctuations, flight demand, personal spending habits, etc. Actual expenses may be more or less than the listed estimates.
Program withdrawal fees, penalties and refunds are subject to the withdrawal policies of each program.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Scholarships are a great way to support the cost of your study abroad experience. In an effort to encourage you to study abroad, and to make a study abroad experience more accessible, Global Engagement prepared a list of scholarships and financial resources. Please note that this is not a conclusive list but it will help you start your search process. Global Engagement encourages you to apply and take advantage of as many relevant scholarship opportunities as possible.
Speak with Student Financial Assistance to determine how your aid package will apply towards studying abroad.
Welch Waiver
If you are a College of Business & Technology student at SHU, currently enrolled in The Welch Experience, and have not yet utilized your study abroad tuition credit, you are eligible to use the Welch Waiver ($1,950) towards your winter tuition for the SHU Dingle program. In order to take advantage of the waiver program you will need to complete the Welch Waiver application, located within your study abroad account post-acceptance.
Please ensure applications for the Welch Tuition Waiver, Thomas More Honors Program Scholarship, and/or Matthew R. Dalling Scholarship are submitted by the specified deadline. Applications and corresponding deadlines can be found in your Study Abroad Account. Failure to submit applications by the specified deadline may cause the scholarship dispersal to be significantly delayed.
If you receive scholarships, grants, or financial aid through SHU, these awards are posted to your Student Account according to the normal disbursement schedule.
Visiting Students
If you receive a financial aid package from your home institution, please check with Study Abroad/Financial Aid to find out if it may be used for this program. Upon request, Global Engagement may provide your institution with the necessary documentation to support the transfer of aid. Please note that Sacred Heart University will not process financial aid for visiting students.
Contact Global Engagement directly for further information.
Scholarships are a great way to support the cost of your study abroad experience. In an effort to encourage you to study abroad, and to make a study abroad experience more accessible, the SHU Office of Global Education prepared a list of scholarships and financial resources. Please note that this list is meant to help you start your search process. Global Engagement encourages you to apply and take advantage of as many relevant scholarship opportunities as possible.
Winter 2025/2026
- December 28, 2025: Depart US
- December 29, 2025: Arrive Ireland
- January 12, 2026: Depart Ireland/Return US
All dates are subject to change. Do not book your flight until you have been accepted to the SHU Dingle program and the academic dates and arrival/departure details have been finalized and confirmed.
- "I loved every part of the program. I felt really connected to the town of Dingle and everyone was very helpful and friendly. I made a group of friends from SHU that will last a lifetime." - Thomas Spierto, communication major
- "It is life changing and the best decision I could have made for my winter break! If one can study abroad, you definitely should!" Megan Grimes, marketing major
- "I had a great time in Dingle. The food was great, people were very welcoming, and everything was walking distance, and I felt safe." Hussani Neelab, marketing major
- "I made friends with many of the local people in Dingle, many people on the trip and learned so much about Irish customs and traditions. I loved the beautiful land that I was able to explore and the memories that got my threw one of the hardest points in my life. Thanks to the Dingle winter trip I learned that not only was Sacred Heart my home away from home, but traveling was a huge passion of mine and something that I hope to do more of in the near future." - Jessica Duthie, Athletic training major